Not quite as strong as last week, but still a pretty decent show overall.

I think Kennedy is definitely working right now as one of the top guys/heels on Smackdown along with MVP. This is one of the advantages of Smackdown not having a ton of star power, since it lets guys like Kennedy get developed and progressed. Kennedy also seems to be carrying his end of the feud quite well.

I really like the Hardy/Mercury feud right now and I think it's helping Mercury a lot. The problem is I think they definitely should've saved the Mercury match for a PPV like No Way Out. Especially when Hardy was basically squashing Mercury on TV just a few weeks ago. Also, is Mercury really ok to be back in the ring this quickly? I think the feud works though and it's finally giving something for him to do. He's still pretty clearly over and gets heat despite all that's happened to him and almost never getting elevated.

I think MVP came back well from the inferno match and it's good to see him move on from the feud from Kane. I think the beat-down on Vito by MVP and the Bluebloods was pretty fun, surprisingly having Vito get the extended heel beatdown over London and Kendrick. I thought the finish came a bit too quick, especially when the guy that got pinned (Kendrick) was barely involved about a minute. MVP at least looks to finally have a finisher though.

Despite this feud absolutely sucking and being dragged out beyond belief with virtually no progression, Chavo and Benoit had a good match. I liked what Chavo did with the 3 amigos here. Benoit applying the sharpshooter with his good arm was a nice little touch which seemed to go over the head of the announcers, despite the pointing out that having a bad arm takes Benoit's crossface out of the equation. Benoit beats Chavo AGAIN. Alright, so can he move on already and finally defend the US title against some other opponents? Especially when WWE won't reveal what this stupid secret is and is still parading Vicky as this evil widow on-screen?

Not sure what to make of the new Deuce/Domino team and their Grease gimmick, which I guess is just WWE's way of capitalizing on the Grease tv junk going on right now. Smackdown could use some more tag teams though for sure.

Pretty obvious that WWE is building toward Batista/Undertaker for Wrestlemania now. Batista sounded pretty horrible and clueless on the commentary table tonight.

Overall the show was pretty average, aside from the Benoit/Chavo match. It was kind of weird seeing a Smackdown without regulars like Helms, Finlay or Booker (aside from the one backstage segment).

The Deuce/Domino thing was so stupid, but I laughed all the way through it. At least the guys look less green in the ring than most recent call-ups, and Deuce was throwing some nasty kicks. This could be a fun gimmick if the fans get into it -- I think I heard a few 'Fonzie' chants.

This Hardys-MNM feud is already the best tag feud that WWE has had in ages because it feels like it's between two established, well-known teams (which is even weirder, since the teams are split between the shows) rather than the designated champs and the challengers-of-the-month. They can stretch this out to a big ladder match blowout at Wrestlemania.

I don't know what is more disquieting -- the fact that the rest of the statue is missing, or that it has four toes.

I keep forgetting how long Kendrick and London have had this run because I think there still as hot as when they won last May. All I know is that if I've missed Smackdown for a long period of time they've been there. It will be a sad day when the E decides to take them in a different direction.

WTF 70's live again? Rhythm and Blues 2? Minus guitars.

Chavo/Benoit was probably the highlight of the show and considering the previous matches they've had I really thought this on played out great. I was seriously expecting the title change though but it's ok.

Last week they pulled there for 3.0 in a while...considering this show is on the 5th bottom rung network I think that's pretty darn good and starting to be produced, even with a questionale talent pool, better than RAW right now. Considering the last three weeks on RAW there has barely been ANY in ring action.

I had forgotten all about the Grease reality show. So that explains Deuce and Domino. Weird gimmick, but I think both guys were pretty solid, and hey, who doesn't like greasers? Good to see both Mercury and Chavo getting some spotlight time, both guys have really been working hard lately and deserve it.

Deuce, Domino, and Cherry have been doing this thing for the better part of a year now, so I figure someone at WWE figured they'd pull the trigger on them after seeing the ads for the Grease TV show. Not that I'm complaining, since I enjoyed their OVW stuff. I've thought they've been one of the highlights of OVW's weekly show for a while.

I thought that was what JBL, but wasn't sure. Is their heat between he and Ace?

It really seemed like Chavo was going to win the US belt going into this feud. He was booked so strong in the Rey feud, I figured they were ready to push him to the upper midcard wit a win over Benoit. Maybe they lost faith in him or, dare I say, realized how tasteless it is to continue to exploit Eddie's death over a year later.

Dean! Have you been shooting dope into your scrotum? You can tell me! I'm hip!

It's fashionable to hate on JBL in some circles, but aside from being the awesomest color commentator that ever awesomed he seems to know his workers too. Every interview I've read on the subject seems to suggest that he's got much the same taste in wrestlers as your average IWC member.

To those who say people wouldn't look; they wouldn't be interested; they're too complacent, indifferent and insulated, I can only reply: There is, in one reporter's opinion, considerable evidence against that contention. But even if they are right, what have they got to lose? Because if they are right, and this instrument is good for nothing but to entertain, amuse and insulate, then the tube is flickering now and we will soon see that the whole struggle is lost. This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires, and lights, in a box.-Edward R. Murrow

Originally posted by kentishI thought that was what JBL, but wasn't sure. Is their heat between he and Ace?

It really seemed like Chavo was going to win the US belt going into this feud. He was booked so strong in the Rey feud, I figured they were ready to push him to the upper midcard wit a win over Benoit. Maybe they lost faith in him or, dare I say, realized how tasteless it is to continue to exploit Eddie's death over a year later.

I'd agree with that save for the fact that they CONTINUE to do it and punish people like Chavo and Mysterio for their own mistakes and stupidity. Not to mention that this angle has made Chavo pretty heatless as well. The fans are totally apathetic toward this angle.

As for JBL, I simply enjoy having a purely heel commentator again. I like that he doesn't act chummy with Cole, and doesn't let Cole get away with anything. And at times it seems Cole is uncomfortable and doesn't know what to say in response. I just find the commentary more fun and spontaneous that way. Basically JBL as an announcer and talk radio commentator > JBL as a wrestler.

Originally posted by The Vile1As for JBL, I simply enjoy having a purely heel commentator again. I like that he doesn't act chummy with Cole, and doesn't let Cole get away with anything. And at times it seems Cole is uncomfortable and doesn't know what to say in response. I just find the commentary more fun and spontaneous that way. Basically JBL as an announcer and talk radio commentator > JBL as a wrestler.

Part of that is Cole's doing as well. He really plays to his partner's strength (he did with Taz, too), and because JBL is working a pure heel commenatator Cole sets himself up for a lot of cheap shots so JBL can make a joke at his expense. I'll agree that JBL has been great, but no one ever appreciates the straight man.